Story of Papa bird.

Once upon a time on a tree far, far away there lived a Papa bird, a Mama bird and their two naughty Baby birds. They were the happiest bird family in the whole bird kingdom. The Papa bird would fly to work everyday and Mama bird took care of the two baby birds. The baby birds would go to their flying schools to become the best in flying the highest. Papa bird and Mama bird made sure that the two baby birds would get the best of the world. Papa bird often had to go away to far off lands to make sure that the baby birds and Mama bird have everything they need. Papa bird and Mama bird loved each other very much, so, when Papa bird would fly off to another land Mama bird would miss him immensely but never let the baby birds see her cry. The baby birds too, often cried when they missed Papa bird but he would always come back and things would be perfect again.

One day when Papa bird was away, in a land filled with dangers, a land which was filled with snow and avalanches he heard the news that Mama bird was very ill. With great difficulties, fighting the wind, the storm, the rain he reached to take care of Mama bird. He took her to the doctor where he found out that Mama bird had cancer but he never told anyone. He kept quite, smiled and helped Mama bird fight the pain. He stood by her side holding her hand, hiding his emotions. He had to juggle between work, baby birds and Mama bird but he never complained. Not even once. He was hurting inside but he always smiled. He never let the baby birds get affected by any of this. He made sure he attended all their birthdays, went to all the parents teachers meet, sometimes cooked and tutor them with flying lesson. All while going for his work and spending most of his time with the Mama bird, but who was taking care of him? No one. What was he going through then...he had no one to talk to, if he fell sick he silently took a medicine, if the  baby birds fell sick he would fly them to a doctor and take care of them, waking up after very hour to check if the baby bird were still suffering. He was sleep deprived, he was tired but everyday he would make sure that his offsprings were rested and comfortable. He wasn't eating properly, but made sure that his children had their meals on time. He hid his emotions so well, that the baby birds never knew what was happening.

Soon, Papa bird had to take Mama bird to a big city, to admit Mama bird in the hospital. Grandparents of the baby birds left their belongings, their homes to take care of the baby birds. Months and months passed by, there was no improvement in Mama bird's health. He did everything he could to save Mama bird, every drop of his blood, every cell of his body had just one purpose and one purpose only, to save the woman he loved so much, if he could, he would have given his own life to save her. Mama bird was weak and fragile, even in so much pain and chemotherapy, she smiled. Baby birds knew their was something wrong still never dared to ask, scared to hear the truth.

One day, while the baby bird and their grandparents were sleeping, they got a call, that the Mama bird has passed away. Not knowing what to say, grandparents did not tell the baby birds what happened but they all took off to the big city. The two baby birds wore their best dresses, and argued over who would spend more time with the Mama bird, but to their surprise, Mama bird was no more. For the first time they saw how much pain Papa bird was in, how even though he tried he could not hide his emotions. Even now, Papa bird tried to wipe the baby bird's tears, trying to control his because he knew that if he broke down then who would take care of his baby birds. Papa bird was asked to marry again and again but he always refused. He loved Mama bird too much to be with someone else.

As time passed Papa bird and baby birds learnt to live with this pain. . They had once decided that they will often mention Mama bird in their conversation, but the pain was so excruciating that they kept quite. No one wept in front of each other, but all silently cried when alone.

The baby birds were now teenagers, they had already started to spread their wings and hop out of the nest. Papa bird did not know how to handle this new phase the baby birds were now in. He tried and tried, he now had to be a father and mother to the baby birds. Eventually, he realised that to be able to handle his teenage baby birds he had to fly with them. He took of with them, they would go on various trips, one day they would fly to Goa the other day to jaipur. Papa bird started talking to the baby birds like their friends, the baby birds started opening up to him, they would do all funny things to make each other laugh. Some other birds thought that these birds were silly but Papa bird and baby birds knew that in silliness there was laughter. Baby bird now trusted him and would tell him everything, sometimes Papa bird would get worried and sometimes he would just listen. With time the dark cloud of unhappiness flew away and sunshine poured in. Time does heal any wound but cannot take away the memories and the scars left behind.

The baby birds have now flown away from the nest and Papa bird smilingly waits for the baby birds to come back again but never tells them how much he misses them. The baby birds miss him equally much everyday, and think about him in every thought, they wait to go back to him and cuddle up to him.
Papa bird has sacrificed his happiness for his babies, he smiled and showed courage when others would have broken down long time back. He gave his babies everything they needed, a mothers love, a fathers affection, a friends patience, a brothers protection...he never asks for anything in return. Papa Bird now prays silently for their happiness.

That Papa bird is my Father.

Thank you for everything Papa. We both love you. We are what we are because of you.